The eThekwini Municipality has announced plans to roll out smart meters across the city to address high water bills and disputed accounts. The move comes after residents and civic associations reported accounts running into tens of thousands of rands and disconnection threats linked to poor coordination between municipal departments. Municipal Speaker Thabani Nyawose said the installation project is at an advanced stage, but warned that equipping all properties across the city will take several years.
Nyawose attributed some of the problems to estimated meter readings and household leaks that had not been reported. He said residents had a role to play in helping the municipality address the issue by providing accurate readings. The municipality is encouraging residents to submit photographs of their meter readings through an eThekwini mobile app to help ensure more accurate billing.
The smart meter project aims to provide a solution to the billing challenges faced by residents and businesses in Durban. Nyawose said that in the next few years, the municipality plans to install new smart meters in all properties and households. He acknowledged that the burden of high water bills is heavy on customers and assured that the matter is being addressed.
Until the rollout is completed, residents are urged to submit meter readings and dispute bills through the municipality's app and dispute resolution committee. Nyawose said most complaints are successfully addressed through the process. The municipality has also received proposals from several organizations, institutions, and individuals to address the billing challenges.
The billing crisis has raised concerns about the impact of unreliable municipal services on businesses and investment in Durban. Professor Purshottama Sivanarain Reddy, a public sector governance specialist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said the inflated billing issue is serious and that residents and stakeholders should be given an opportunity to contribute solutions.
Business leaders have also expressed concerns about the impact of unreliable municipal services on investment and growth. Jennifer Reddy, CEO of Morar Incorporated, said service delivery, safety, and health concerns directly affect business investment. She warned that businesses will struggle to plan for growth in areas where basic service delivery remains unreliable.
The eThekwini Municipality's smart meter rollout plan is a step towards addressing the billing challenges faced by residents and businesses. The municipality aims to provide a reliable and efficient service delivery system. Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in the process by submitting meter readings and providing feedback.
Key points
- eThekwini Municipality to install smart meters to address high water bills and disputed accounts
- Residents urged to submit meter readings and dispute bills through the municipality's app and dispute resolution committee
- Billing crisis raises concerns about the impact of unreliable municipal services on businesses and investment in Durban
